The Amusement Park Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "The Amusement Park" is a robust attempt to breathe new life into this lost George A. Romero film, despite the limitations of its source material. The 1080p transfer, while undoubtedly the best available viewing option, reveals the inherent imperfections due to its restoration from severely damaged 16mm prints. As a result, the visual clarity is challenged by persistent dirt, debris, and occasional grain freezes. The washed-out color palette, a result of improper storage spanning decades, contributes to an oddly suitable surrealist aesthetic that complements the film’s unsettling atmosphere. Skin tones often appear grayscale, enhancing the film's eerie, zombified visual motif, a fitting characteristic for an auteur known for such narratives.

Technically, the Blu-ray is anchored by a competent MPEG-4 AVC encoding at a 1.33:1 aspect ratio, without notable compression artifacts or banding issues. Despite the constraints presented by the source material, RLJ Entertainment's disc surpasses streaming alternatives by faithfully representing the content with as much clarity and detail as possible. Black levels are handled adeptly, maintaining depth without succumbing to image crushing, although the inherent softness in some scenes remains tied to the original print's condition. The restoration process provides a marginally improved color reproduction, essential in capturing the fairground setting's vibrancy albeit through a faded lens.

Ultimately, while this transfer can't escape the ravages of time and inadequate archival conditions, it serves as a crucial preservation of a unique cinematic experience. Viewers seeking to explore Romero's lesser-known works will find this Blu-ray an essential testament to both the filmmaker's enduring legacy and the painstaking efforts to restore and present obscure but culturally significant films.

The Blu-ray of "The Amusement Park" features an English DTS-HD MA 2.0 audio track that, while hampered by the source material's inherent limitations, delivers a performance that is as lively and engaging as possible under the circumstances. The lossless mix generally achieves a decent balance, although background effects occasionally overpower dialogue for stylistic impact. Despite noticeable wear and tear, including pops, skips, and hiss in some sequences—attributable to the surviving audio elements rather than the technical effort—dialogue remains reasonably clear and intelligible throughout most of the film.

Sonically, the track brings forth a moderate level of detail; however, certain segments suffer from obvious audio discrepancies, such as poorly executed ADR, notably during condensed environmental settings like a roller coaster scene recorded in a small room. The dynamics are aptly described as modest; there are no expectations of a vast soundstage or deep low-frequency extension, with no surround sound features. These limitations aside, the mix complements the surrealist horror landscape effectively, albeit imperfectly.

The main presentation includes optional English (SDH) and Spanish subtitles, aiding accessibility. Although the audio track brings to light some imperfections that could detract from an immersively seamless experience, it does capture the essence of the piece to a noteworthy degree, maintaining its intended atmospheric tension. Overall, the audio presentation is a testament to what can be salvaged from weathered source materials, presenting a functional yet constrained auditory experience.

The Blu-ray release of "The Amusement Park" is enriched by a diverse assortment of extras, enhancing its value for collectors and enthusiasts alike. The disc features a compelling audio commentary by Michael Gornick, seamlessly moderated by Michael Felsher, which provides deep insight into the film's production and Romero's cinematic influence. Suzanne Desrocher-Romero's "Re-Opening The Park" segment stands out, offering a fascinating account of the painstaking restoration process and reflections on her late husband's legacy. Bonnie Hinzman's interview offers personal anecdotes from the set and insights into her husband's contributions as the film's cinematographer. The "Panel Interview" brings together notable personalities in a comprehensive discussion about the film's restoration. Meanwhile, Ryan Carr's "For Your Amusement" explores creative collaborations with the George A. Romero Foundation. Finally, archival content like the official brochure, script scans, and behind-the-scenes photo gallery provide a rare glimpse into the film's history.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: Michael Gornick discusses film production, moderated by Michael Felsher.
• Re-Opening The Park: Suzanne Desrocher-Romero talks about restoration and legacy.
• Bill & Bonnie’s Excellent Adventure: Bonnie Hinzman recalls production experiences.
• For Your Amusement: Ryan Carr on collaborations and upcoming graphic novel.
• Panel Interview: Insights from key figures about the film and its restoration.
• The Amusement Park Official Brochure: Scanned vintage promotional images.
• The Amusement Park Script: Scanned images of the script.
• Behind-the-Scenes Photo Gallery: Black-and-white production stills.

George A. Romero's The Amusement Park is a unique cinematic relic rediscovered after decades in obscurity. Originally commissioned in 1973 by the Lutheran Service Society as a PSA on elder abuse and ageism, this film diverges sharply from Romero’s more famous horror work such as Night of the Living Dead. Filmed over three days on a modest $37,000 budget, the 54-minute film is set in an unsettling amusement park. Here, an elderly man, played compellingly by Lincoln Maazel, encounters various dehumanizing situations—standing in long lines only to be met with unhelpful staff and manipulative vendors. The film's surrealist narrative structure challenges viewers to confront issues of social neglect and systemic abuse of the elderly, which resonate disturbingly well even today.

Visually, the film carries Romero's recognizable style despite its low-budget constraints, with stark contrasts between imaginative thematic content and occasionally unpolished technical elements. The orchestrated chaos of the park serves as a macabre metaphor for societal failures, with each ride symbolizing different facets of life where seniors are frequently marginalized. The restoration work achieved by IndieCollect through the George A. Romero Foundation has effectively salvaged the distressed 16mm print, allowing modern audiences to experience this lost film with enhanced clarity while still retaining its period authenticity.

The Blu-ray release by RLJ Entertainment is packaged thoughtfully with a collection of additional features that further explore the film's unusual context and historical significance. Seen through the lens of its original intention—a confronting educational film—The Amusement Park provides an avant-garde depiction of real-world horrors all too relevant today. It stands as both a powerful commentary on societal attitudes toward aging and a testament to Romero’s unyielding vision in storytelling that seamlessly fuses the bizarre with potent social critique.

George A. Romero's "The Amusement Park" emerges as a unique entry within the late director’s oeuvre, diverging from his conventional horror narratives. Originally commissioned as a PSA by the Lutheran Society, the film transcends its educational purpose, offering a surreal, haunting exploration of aging's inevitabilities. While non-traditional in its eerie approach to eldercare themes, it becomes a gripping contemplation on life’s later stages, carried profoundly by Lincoln Maizel’s compelling performance.

For those familiar with Romero’s work, this is an essential addition, not just for its narrative but also for historical context within his diverse filmography. The RLJ Entertainment Blu-ray release ensures that this once-lost gem receives due technical consideration. Given the challenging state of the original 16mm prints, the Blu-ray presents an impressive restoration effort. The audio-visual presentation is robust, maximizing the potential of the available material. The inclusion of enlightening extras enhances the disc’s value, offering deeper insights into the film's conception and legacy.

In conclusion, "The Amusement Park" is not merely a curiosity for Romero aficionados but a thought-provoking piece worthy of exploration. It's a compelling study in fear that masterfully blurs genre lines. While newcomers might consider streaming first for accessibility, the Blu-ray’s superior A/V presentation and array of bonuses make it a worthy investment for fans and collectors alike. This release cements "The Amusement Park" as not only a conversation starter on aging but also a significant chapter in Romero’s storied career. Recommended for both its cinematic weight and historical significance.